The Ultimate Mesa Verde National Park Quiz

Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado encompasses about 4,000 prehistoric sites of the Anasazi people. The area is also famed for its splendid natural landscape and other archeological treasures. Find out more about Mesa Verde by taking this quiz.

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Question 1 of 20

Which people once inhabited the Mesa Verde National Park area?

the Inca

the Anasazi

The Anasazi people once inhabited this region, developing it as a highly advanced civilization for the time.

the Mayan

Question 2 of 20

When is the Far View Visitor Center open?

between late January and late May

between early November and early February

between mid-April and mid-October

The Visitor Center is open from mid-April to mid-October.

Question 3 of 20

Aside from the Visitor Center, what other services are offered at Mesa Verde?

a museum, campground and park lodge

There is a museum at Mesa Verde, as well as a campground and a park lodge.

a water park, art gallery and antique exhibition

a nature workshop, art studio and expansive recreation area

Question 4 of 20

What is the meaning of the Navajo name "Anasazi"?

civilized people

fire gods

ancient ones

"Anasazi" in Navajo means "ancient ones."

Question 5 of 20

Why are the cliff dwellings well preserved at Mesa Verde?

because of the dry climate

The cliff dwellings, already several hundred years old, are well preserved because of the dry climate.

because of the cold climate

because of the forethought of the ancient inhabitants who preserved the ruins in a special way

Question 6 of 20

What animals can you see in the high meadows?

rabbits, mule deer, turkey

red foxes, coyotes, lizards

all of the above

You can see many species of animals there, including rabbits, mule deer, turkey, red foxes, coyotes and lizards.

Question 7 of 20

From studying the structure and state of the ruins, what do we know about the ancient inhabitants?

They were pagans.

They left suddenly.

We know that they left suddenly, although why remains a matter of conjecture.

They had no leader.

Question 8 of 20

How did the natural alcoves for dwelling areas get formed in ancient times?

by flowing lava from volcanic eruptions

by water that percolated down through the sandstone

The alcoves were formed naturally as a result of water percolating down through the sandstone.

by huge crevices that were created during earthquakes

Question 9 of 20

One novelist is reported to have experienced the Anasazi ruins as "more like sculpture than anything else." Who was the novelist?

Louisa May Alcott

Edgar Allan Poe

Willa Cather

It was Willa Cather, a renowned novelist who wrote much about frontier life.

Question 10 of 20

What makes the cliff dwelling known as "Cliff Palace" unique?

It is the oldest one in North America.

It is the largest one in North America.

Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America, boasting about 200 rooms.

It is the highest one in North America.

Question 11 of 20

Which of these lends itself to a self-guided tour?

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House is ideal for a self-guided tour, whereas Cliff Palace and Balcony House are accessible only on a ranger-guided tour.

Cliff Palace

Balcony House

Question 12 of 20

What did the Anasazi people harvest from the Gambel oak trees?

acorns

nuts

They harvested nuts from these trees.

berries

Question 13 of 20

What is the origin of the name "Spruce Tree House"?

Early pioneers used to marvel at the abundance of spruce trees there.

Early explorers climbed down a tall tree there, which they mistakenly thought was spruce.

The name actually came from a mistake. Early explorers climbed down a tall tree there to reach the dwelling and they thought it was spruce, which it wasn't.

Sir John Spruce used to live in the area and it was named after him.

Question 14 of 20

What was the nature of Balcony House's natural defense?

It was hidden by thick foliage and was thus easily defended.

It was surrounded by a natural moat and was thus easily defended.

It was perched high up in a cliff alcove and was thus easily defended.

Balcony House was perched high up in a cliff alcove and this made it easily defended.

Question 15 of 20

For how long has Mesa Verde been inhabited?

nearly 1,000 years

nearly 2,500 years

It has been inhabited for about 2,500 years.

nearly 10,000 years

Question 16 of 20

What did the early inhabitants of Mesa Verde engage in?

martial arts and sculpting

hunting and silk trading

farming and basket weaving

The early inhabitants of Mesa Verde engaged in farming corn and beans and in basket weaving.

Question 17 of 20

By the eighth century A.D., the inhabitants were building houses with poles and mud. What were their "apartment buildings" called?

pueblos

They were called pueblos and they were apartment-like structures surrounding an open plaza.

troglodytes

bungalows

Question 18 of 20

Why did the mesa people move down into cliff recesses in 1200 A.D.?

They may have been threatened by tribes of newcomers.

Archeologists aren't certain, but they believe that they may have been threatened by tribes of newcomers.

They were escaping the heat.

They were looking for more fertile soil.

Question 19 of 20

What were the kivas (underground chambers) used for?

to keep their valuables safe

food storage

religious ceremonies

They were used for religious ceremonies.

Question 20 of 20

What was the average lifespan of the cave dweller of Mesa Verde?

35 years

The lifespan was 35 years, probably due to the harsh living conditions there.